Father, thank You for the example of Paul, who terms himself to be the worst of sinners. You reversed his direction in life and used him to boldly proclaim your glory, teaching about Jesus wherever he went. Thank You for his letters despite shipwreck and prison. Thank You for his sentences that are so long I have to carefully dissect them to understand. Thank You for your Holy Spirit, who teaches me what You say through Paul. Grant me wisdom and discernment as I study in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen.

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” (Acts 24: 14-16 NKJV)